Well, sometimes yes, sometimes no. Often when there is a Homeowner’s Association, potential buyers will make a mental leap to that Gestapo-like mentality and so their questions are all geared around the “restrictions” aspect instead of grasping the idea of it being more of a guide to keep the values up in that particular community.

Fishhawk Lake is a private lake and does have a Homeowner’s Association. We are not a gated community. The CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) may SEEM lengthy, but as with any contractural and legal document, it contains a lot of “legal-ease” to cover all bases. This is what Wikipedia has to say:

In the United States, a homeowner association is a corporation formed by a real estate developer for the purpose of marketing, managing, and selling of homes and lots in a residential subdivision.

Here is a link to our Homeowners Conditions Covenants and Restrictions. FLRC CC&Rs

Our community at Fishhawk Lake was developed in the late 1960s

and the original developer wanted it as a private lake to fish and enjoy water activities in a quiet country atmosphere. He was a bit ahead of his time, as it was a hidden treasure for many years, slow to find new buyers way out in the middle of nowhere.

First Existing Cabin on Fishhawk Lake Photo by: Gayle Rich-Boxman

Fast Forward….

I certainly enjoy marketing our area at FishhawkLake as a lifestyle, not a community that will restrict people from enjoying where they choose to live in a relaxed atomosphere. Having been a part of this private lake community (and it is a community)for over 16 years and having had my husband be a past president, I’m okay with the rules and regulations. In reality, we just want to keep our community clean and pristine–just like the forests and waters and nature that surround us and is the very REASON why we live here!

Fishhawk Lake in February Photo by: Gayle Rich-Boxman

Here are a few of the CC&Rs that I appeciate:

Oftentimes, homeowner’s fees are exorbitant. Ours are pretty darned reasonable from what my clients say over and over again. It’s once a year, $3277.00 and that includes all Fishhawk Lake amenities including water and sewer and some of this goes towards reserves. I had a fellow from San Diego exclaim that he pays more than that in a summer and he doesn’t even water his landscape that much!

You can’t rent out your property at Fishhawk Lake for weekends to strangers or put it on Craigslist to cover your mortgage. This keeps our place quieter and safer. There is one way in and one way out…we are secluded and often, as happens with country properties, people who are here only briefly, for a day or two don’t seem to CARE about not throwing trash out the window, because they’ll never be back! This type of community doesn’t invite that. Family and friends are welcome anytime, though!

We don’t allow certain kinds of fencing or really bright colors on homes. It’s to blend into nature and not block a neighbor’s view of this glorious slice of paradise I call home.

One of the pristine views on Fishhawk Lake early morn

You won’t see a bunch of dead vehicles lined up in someone’s driveway or a lot of ugly tarps covering God Knows What. There are certain trees that you can’t cut down, like evergreens unless they are posing a hazard of some sort or are diseased.

Lakefront view of a home I sold in 2013.Nice and open!!

Fall greenery on Fishhawk Lake Photo by: Gayle Rich-Boxman

These are just some highpoints to consider when looking at Fishhawk Lake…so don’t let the idea of a Homeowner’s Association scare you off. Call me–let’s talk about the POSITIVES of our HOA!

Our Fishhawk Lake Clubhouse and Beach “Yoder Community Center” One of the amenities that our HOA fees pays for